Ukraine national anthem to be played outside Wolverhampton Civic Centre

Wolverhampton Council will stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine by raising the nation’s flag and playing its national anthem outside its headquarters at 11am on Wednesday.

The blue and yellow Ukrainian flag is to be raised on the piazza outside Wolverhampton Civic Centre by the city’s mayor, Councillor Greg Brackenridge.

Members of the city’s Ukrainian community have been invited to attend alongside city councillors and members of the public.

The council also displayed a ‘We Stand With Ukraine’ message on electronic road signs across the city.

Later, a meeting of the Full Council asked to vote on a motion which has cross-party support. The motion will be worded as follows:

"Wolverhampton Council stands with and expresses its support for the people of Ukraine and the Ukrainian community in our City following the illegal invasion by the Russian State of the independent democratically elected sovereign Ukrainian nation state."

Councillor Brackenridge said: "It will be my honour to raise the flag of Ukraine and demonstrate our unity and solidarity with our Ukrainian friends.

"I hope as many people as possible are able to attend the event and show their support for the illegal invasion of a democratic, sovereign nation and the killing of innocent people."

Councillor Ian Brookfield, leader of Wolverhampton Council, said: "Our city has a long-established Ukrainian community.

"I know they are going through unimaginable pain right now as their loved ones and friends are in danger from bullets and bombs in this illegal war.

"We are all observing with a mixture of great sadness and anger as the people of this free, democratic, sovereign country are being killed by the illegal actions of a foreign aggressor.

"We want to show our city’s solidarity with the people of Ukraine, it is important at times like this that all those in world who believe in freedom, democracy and the rule of law join together to oppose those who would seek to destroy those cherished values. We pray for peace."

Councillor Wendy Thompson, leader of Wolverhampton Council’s opposition Conservative group, said: "The people of Ukraine are in all our thoughts right now as they go through a trauma caused be the illegal action of the Russian state.

"They have built a modern, outward looking sovereign state that is so different to the one that I visited during the Cold War where poverty was widespread.

"Whilst we cannot change what is happening in Ukraine, we can send a message of support and solidarity.

"Any place where people believe in freedom, democracy and the rule of law is a friend of Wolverhampton and this country."

Kerrie Carmichael, leader of Sandwell Council, also spoke out in solidarity.

She said: “Our sympathies are with the people of Ukraine, a sovereign and democratic country that has been invaded.

“Vladimir Putin’s Russia is trying to take away the rights of this European country. This council is united and condemns these actions and stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine not forgetting the Russian people who are demonstrating against this war.”

Councillor Archer Williams added: “I would like to express my deep sorrow for the loss of life in an unnecessary war taking place for no explicit reasons other than territorial occupation.

“I am sorry to see that Russia is engaging in this war; we hoped these days had long past with the fall of the Soviet Union.

“Sandwell Conservatives commend the efforts of our government to combat the situation. We condemn the war crimes taking place and pray for a peaceful solution.”

It comes after almost 1,000 people attended a vigil at Victoria Square, Birmingham, on Sunday, in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

Some of those gathered held placards saying ‘Support Ukrainian Refugees’ ‘Stop Putin, Stop War’, while flags of Ukraine were waved.

Joanna Kiedrowska, 45, attended the vigil with her two sons, Samuel and Joseph.

The Polish-born family, from Hockley, were dismayed by the actions of Vladimir Putin.

Ms Kiedrowska said: “We are in the 21st Century. We want a peaceful Ukraine, and for them to raise their children in freedom.

“Could you imagine if those images being broadcast out from Kyiv were happening right here in Birmingham?”

Other politicians, including Andy Street, Mayor for West Midlands, Ian Ward, leader of Birmingham city council, also attended.

Attendees also donated hundreds of bags of essential goods to help the people of Ukraine who have fled to the Polish border. It was organised by Angelika Frankowska, aged 20, from Wednesbury, who said she still has family in the war-torn nation.